Ellington, Zoubek Dominate PBP Holiday Classic

Rivals.com's Mid-Atlantic Hoops Tour stopped in Chester, PA on the campus of Widener University December 27-28 for the Scholastic Play-by-Play Holiday Classic presented by Another Level Sports. Junior stars Wayne Ellington, Brian Zoubek, and Gerald Henderson turned in outstanding performances.

Episcopal 83

Chester 68

Juniors 6-foot-4 2G Wayne Ellington and 6-foot-5 G/F Gerald Henderson combined for 55 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead Episcopal Academy (PA) to an 83-68 victory over home team Chester (PA) on Tuesday evening.

While the Episcopal stars got off to a hot start, it was nothing compared to Chester senior guard Noel Wilmore. The 6-foot-4 shooter scored all of Chester's 15 first quarter points, and extended that streak into the 2nd quarter accounting for all of the Clippers' first 19 points. Wilmore finished the first half with 25 points, just 5 short of Chester's total.

Holding an 8 point cushion entering the third quarter, Episcopal made a more concerted effort to get a hand in Wilmore's face and he went scoreless as the Churchmen doubled their lead to hold a 59-43 advantage heading into the 4th quarter. Chester made a couple of runs late, but never got closer than 8 down.

Ellington had 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in a performance that just seemed effortless at times. Henderson put his outrageous athleticism on display and demonstrated an improving perimeter game as well on his way to 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. 6-foot-9 junior center Mike Yokum chipped-in 11 points and 6 rebounds in the win.

6-foot-7 Notre Dame signee Ryan Ayers had his mid-range game working in the first half, as he scored 13 points to stake Germantown a 36-28 lead at the break. However, Zoubek started to assert himself defensively and on the glass late in the third quarter as Haddonfield drew to within 6 at 47-41 heading into the 4th. To start the 4th quarter Zoubek scored 8 straight points for Haddonfield to cut the lead to 2 at just 51-49, and the Haddonfield fans could smell the upset. But Germantown Academy guard Kyle Griffin made a great steal and finished the layup to spark a 13-4 run, and Germantown Academy never looked back,

Ayers finished with 23 points and 7 rebounds for Germantown. 6-foot-7 unsigned senior Brian Grimes had 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Griffin added 10 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. 6-foot-10 center Andrew Ott was simply overmatched against Zoubek and finished with just 6 points and 2 rebounds while sitting for long stretches of the game in foul trouble.

In a hard fought contest Lincoln (NY) held on to defeat Paterson Catholic (NJ) 64-60 on Tuesday night. 6-foot-4 senior guard Jamel Jackson once again led the way for Lincoln with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. 6-foot-5 junior forward Kimmani Barrett was terrific for Paterson Catholic in the loss, scoring 27 points and pulling down 6 rebounds.

Monday's Games

Germantown Academy 59

Chester 56

Germantown Academy (PA) jumped out to a big lead early, but Chester (PA), behind wilting full court defensive pressure and the dynamic play of senior guard Charles Swiggett, made it a game down the stretch as Germantown Academy held on to claim a 59-56 win over the host team on Monday night.

Early in the 4th quarter Chester took their first lead of the game 42-41 on a steal and layup by junior 6-foot-2 guard Darrin Govens. A dunk by 6-foot-4 senior Noel Wilmore made it 44-41 Chester at the 7:00 mark. Germantown Academy stormed back after a time out, and once again took the lead. However, a put back dunk by 6-foot-9 senior center Kent Tribbett tied the game again at 50. Then Germantown's senior forward Brian Grimes and sophomore guard Kyle Griffin took over down the stretch to put away the game for the Patriots.

Grimes overcame a terrible floor game which included 12 turnovers to score 17 points and grab 10 rebounds. Griffin had 14 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals, Ryan Ayers had 13 points and 7 rebounds, and 6-foot-10 junior center Andrew Ott had 9 points and 12 rebounds. Griffin also blocked a last second shot by Chester that could have tied the game.

Swiggett had 25 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals to lead Chester. Tribbett added 8 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.